Clearwater

In a Nutshell

“Motorcycle of the sky” grants passengers views of marine life and beaches as they take the controls and soar above the Tampa-area beaches

The Fine Print

Promotional value expires 120 days after purchase. Amount paid never expires.Limit 1 per person, may buy 1 additional as a gift. Limit 1 per visit. Reservation required; subject to availability. Call ahead to check availability. 24hr cancellation notice required. Must sign waiver. Must be 10 or older. 250lb weight max. Subject to weather conditions.Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.

Sky Surfing Aviation

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There are few things as liberating as being able to fly, which is why humans invented airplanes and why penguins constantly try to sabotage them by climbing into their jet engines. Feel the freedom of the skies with this Groupon.

The Deal

$149 for a hands-on scenic intro flight (a $260 value)

The flight adventure begins with a brief photo session, followed by a preflight-briefing on the Delta Wing Trike: an FAA-certified aircraft that resembles a motorcycle attached to a hang glider. Customers strap in before the instructor guides the aircraft through takeoff for a 30-minute flight. Once airborne, this “motorcycle of the sky” provides unobstructed views that allow passengers to spy marine life, including dolphins and manatees. Once over the beach, passengers can take over the controls to experience the full thrill of flying, or they can continue to relax and enjoy the ride. Finally, instructors land the aircraft, debrief passengers on their flight, and award them a certificate—which can count toward a pilot license. The entire adventure lasts approximately one hour.

Sky Surfing Aviation

The FAA-certified flight instructors at Sky Surfing Aviation refer to their Delta Wing Trike aircrafts as "motorcycles of the sky." It's a fitting title, and not only because the aircrafts look like motorcycles that spent eight months inside steel cocoons. Just as bikers take scenic trips down country roads, aviators in Trikes take afternoon and evening drives through the sky. Fliers can skim white-sand beaches, soar high above the Skyway Bridge, or venture as far away as Fort Myers and the Everglades. With its open-air cockpit and hang-glider wings, the aircraft gives pilot and passenger unobstructed scenic views of Florida’s coastline. In fact, the sightlines are so clear that pilots often use the trike to spot and track marine life, including sea turtles and sharks.

While Sky Surfing Aviation's pilots will happily do all the flying during intro flights, first-time aviators are welcome to try the aircraft's intuitive controls. You simply need to grab hold of the large bar attached to the wings and shift your body weight. After the initial adventure, the instructors can train new fliers for solo flights and help them obtain pilot licenses. Aside from flight training, Sky Surfing Aviation provides sales and support for several types of light sport aircraft, such as trikes, airplanes, and gyroplanes.